Davis injury another major blow/opportunity

Before the season even started, Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear made it clear that he expected his team’s depth would be tested this year.

Well, watching Brad Davis gingerly walk into the locker room in street clothes a half hour after his teammates had finished practicing Monday, I couldn’t help but think the Dynamo would be tested again.

With right midfielder Colin Clark suspended for three games and holding mid Adam Moffat suspended for one game, the Dynamo midfield was already going to be without key players this Sunday. Now, Davis, the team’s three-time MVP , is likely going to miss the Chicago Fire game on Sunday.

The Dynamo depth is strained at midfield. I will not be surprised one bit if Nate Sturgis starts as the holding midfielder Sunday. Perhaps All-Star Corey Ashe moves up to left midfield, but his speed might be needed on defense against former Dynamo speedster Dominic Oduro.

Barring injury, I expect Luiz Camargo to start against the Fire. Perhaps now Je-Vaughn Watson or Alex Dixon will move to the right side. If Ashe moves up to the midfield, I’d feel tremendously comfortable with Jermaine Taylor at left back. But if Oduro’s speed prompts Kinnear to play Ashe at left back, I’d love to see Alex Dixon start on the left side of the midfield.

Either way, as we’ve said often, one man’s pain is another man’s opportunity. The Dynamo have some talented young midfielders, and now they need to prove they can help the team.

“We know he’s a big part of our team, but we have to move on,” Geoff Cameron said of Davis. “We are already dealing with suspensions and what not, so it makes it a little harder! But it give guys an opportunity to step up! Just hope (Davis) gets back on the field quicker.”

Rest assured, everyone knows the Dynamo are a better team with Davis.

“We are going to miss his service and possession play,” Brian Ching said of Davis. “Fortunately we have options with Luiz getting health and Nate and Jermaine playing well. Everyone will need to pick it up an extra 10 percent.”